A renovated and expanded apartment building is providing supportive and affordable homes for adults on the North Shore who are living with mental health challenges.

Chesterfield House, located at 1415 Chesterfield Ave., was expanded over the last two years from 16 to 24 apartments and upgraded to include an elevator, low-consumption water fixtures, a communal kitchen, a covered patio and a common amenity room.

The building was purchased in 2006 through a partnership between the Province, the City of North Vancouver and Marineview Housing Society.

The total capital cost for the renovations and expansion is approximately $1.8 million. The Province invested $675,000, the City of North Vancouver provided a grant of $675,000 and Marineview Housing Society provided equity of $405,000.

Quotes:

Ross Stewart, executive director, Marineview Housing Society -

"Individuals living with mental health challenges on the North Shore are not immune to the challenge of finding affordable, supportive housing. It's been wonderful to watch this project take shape and to know that, because of many people working together, our society is going to be able to provide not just places to live, but places to call home."

Quick Facts:

• Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• In North Vancouver, the government will provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for approximately 2,680 low-income individuals, seniors and families this year.
• Marineview Housing Society was incorporated in 1975 and is dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for people on the North Shore living with psychiatric disabilities.

Learn More:

To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Creating/PHI

To learn more about programs and services offered by Marineview Housing Society, please visit: www.marineviewhousing.com

Contacts:

Michelle Frilund
BC Housing
604 456-8895
604 318-4419 (cell)

Connie Rabold
City of North Vancouver
604 983-7383
crabold@cnv.org